El Faro - The Lighthouse
December 2008
One of the Mazatlan signature sites is its lighthouse. Hailed as the highest lighthouse on the American Continents and the second highest in the world, I was expecting a towering structure. Quite the contrary. In fact the lighthouse itself could be described as quite squat. It is its location, perched upon the conical hill at the entrance to the port (as illustrated on the label of a bottle of Pacifico) which provides the elevation.
El Faro
The Ascent
The ascent to the lighthouse is a loose dirt trail with switch backs which turns to stairs for the upper half. The sign at the bottom of the hill indicates that the lighthouse stands at 1110 meters but I am quite certain that I am unable to climb that distance in a mere twenty minutes so there may something lost in translation there. Perhaps other publications stating 157 meters may be more on target.
The Trail
Of course the lighthouse is situated at the edge of the port, accessed by a seawall and street lined with charter fishing operations. It is adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant and the University’s school of marine sciences and limnology. The lighthouse is operational with its beacon visible for 48 nautical miles. The views from the hilltop are spectacular, affording complete visage of all of Mazatlan, Stone Island, the port (complete with cruise ships), the cathedrals, and of course the Pacifico factory.Vegetation on the ascent ranges from palms to mature cacti and soaring frigate birds are a common site.
Seawall
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
Port Entrance and Stone Island
Mazatlan
Mazatlan Port and Pacifico Factory
Recommendations for those taking this short steep hike include carrying either a bottle of water or ten pesos with which to purchase one at the top and, of course, keep it clean!
One of the Mazatlan signature sites is its lighthouse. Hailed as the highest lighthouse on the American Continents and the second highest in the world, I was expecting a towering structure. Quite the contrary. In fact the lighthouse itself could be described as quite squat. It is its location, perched upon the conical hill at the entrance to the port (as illustrated on the label of a bottle of Pacifico) which provides the elevation.
El Faro
The Ascent
The ascent to the lighthouse is a loose dirt trail with switch backs which turns to stairs for the upper half. The sign at the bottom of the hill indicates that the lighthouse stands at 1110 meters but I am quite certain that I am unable to climb that distance in a mere twenty minutes so there may something lost in translation there. Perhaps other publications stating 157 meters may be more on target.
The Trail
Of course the lighthouse is situated at the edge of the port, accessed by a seawall and street lined with charter fishing operations. It is adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant and the University’s school of marine sciences and limnology. The lighthouse is operational with its beacon visible for 48 nautical miles. The views from the hilltop are spectacular, affording complete visage of all of Mazatlan, Stone Island, the port (complete with cruise ships), the cathedrals, and of course the Pacifico factory.Vegetation on the ascent ranges from palms to mature cacti and soaring frigate birds are a common site.
Seawall
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
Port Entrance and Stone Island
Mazatlan
Mazatlan Port and Pacifico Factory
Recommendations for those taking this short steep hike include carrying either a bottle of water or ten pesos with which to purchase one at the top and, of course, keep it clean!
I love reading about your adventures. I am thinking of you both and know it is a once in a lifetime experience....Have A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009
PH.
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